Welcome back to school 2021!
We are very excited to welcome students and families back to full time, in-person learning. I previously sent you an email that contained important health and safety guidelines that are being implemented in schools throughout NYC. In this update I will share health and safety guidelines specific to JHS 157. The next update you will receive will focus on first day of school procedures including entry and dismissal.
*First, all students will need an active My Student Account school email. Parents/guardians, if your child does not have an account, please click the link to start the process of creating the My Student Account: https://mystudent.nyc/ Students, you will receive important school information to this email account including class schedules, google classroom invites from your teachers, important first day of school procedures and other NYCDOE announcements.
*All students must save/download the following health screener app-https://healthscreening.schools.nyc/
What can you expect for school year 2021?
All students and staff are required to wear a mask each day. Hand sanitizer and other cleaning materials will be provided for students in every classroom. Every classroom will be deep cleaned after school each day by our custodial staff (desks/chairs/lap-tops). We are planning to open our school for students following our traditional, comprehensive scheduling/programming, while implementing health and safety protocols.
We will follow our traditional Day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 schedule. All learning is in-person; there is no remote option. Students will receive their homeroom assignment and class schedule by September 3, 2021, from Mr. Grabowski (check your My Student Email Account)
Students will be scheduled for ELA/Science/Social Studies/ Physical Education/Talent Electives/Foreign Language (grades 7/8/9) Health (grades 6/7) Lunch and Assembly. Students will travel from class to class with their homeroom every 45 or 90 minutes. We will implement the 3 feet social distancing guideline in every classroom when possible. In classrooms where the number of students exceeds the capacity for 3 feet social distancing, an additional air purifier will be used in that classroom. Large HEPA air purifiers will also be used in our cafeteria.
Each teacher will invite their classes to join their Google Classroom. Daily in-person instruction will consist of the use of digital platforms and traditional classroom practice. Students that do not have their own device (lap-top/iPad) will be provided with one to use in each class.
Physical Education: Students will participate in physical education class in the gym (and school yard when possible). Masks are required, and social distancing will be implemented. Teachers have modified the Phys. Ed curriculum to reflect these requirements.
Talent Electives: 6th and 7th grade students will be able to select the talent elective of their choice during the first full week of school. 8th grade students will continue in their selected talent elective from school year 2019-2020. Specific health and safety protocol will be followed in all elective classes. Your talent teacher will have more information for you upon our return to school.
Lunch: Student lunch will take place periods 4, 5, 6 and 7 during the school day. Students will be socially distanced 3 feet, facing away from each other, at each cafeteria table while eating. Each lunch period will be divided into 20 minutes of recess (in the school yard or gym) and 20 minutes eating for students. Students will have a choice of hot lunch, sandwiches or they may bring their own lunch to eat. Students may remove their masks to eat and drink during lunch while maintaining their distance. Students may bring their own water bottles (water dispensers are available in the students’ cafeteria for refills).
Yellow Bus for 6th Grade Students: The Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) handles busing. For a yellow school bus, any 6th grader who lives 1.5 miles away or more from the school and lives in 11375 or 11374 is automatically assigned a bus. You do not have to apply. The information will show in your MyStudent and or MySchools account toward the end of August. OPT will assign you a pickup and drop off location and time, along with a route number. 6th grade students not eligible for yellow bus and live a mile away will be given a MetroCard.
There are exceptions to the 1.5-mile rule. You can find more information here: As new guidelines all exception applications must be submitted electronically parents/guardians using this link. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd8kVtjAspzELkfBm0ULVVFFmHIwFBsoe4KD6Gln-SjaCr8NA/viewform. If there are any questions, please email BusingExceptions@schools.nyc.gov
New Student Orientation: Grade 6 Friday, September 10, at 10AM (report to the school yard on Yellow stone BLVD) Grade 7 (for students that were not in-person learning last year) Thursday, September 09, at 10AM (NEW TIME) report to the school yard on Yellowstone BLVD)
You will receive an email later this week with information on first day of school procedures for students. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Vincent Suraci
Principal JHS 157
